Global financial markets are going through a period of heightened volatility, with sharper and more frequent price swings across asset classes. This turbulence is especially visible in commodities such as oil, where prices continue to fluctuate in response to developments in the Middle East.
In such conditions, where timing can make a big difference, some investors are turning to contracts for difference (CFDs) – instruments that allow them to trade on rising or falling prices without owning the underlying asset.
Because CFDs are traded using margin, investors can take short-term positions without tying up large amounts of capital. However, this also means losses can be magnified if markets move in the wrong direction.
Mr Dani Magner, chief growth officer of Plus500, says: “In Singapore, traders have traditionally been more focused on stocks and indices, but we are now seeing growing interest in commodities and call-and-put options as clients look for more flexible ways to express views on fast-moving global events.”
UK-listed Plus500, which has been operating in Singapore since 2017 and is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, is one of the platforms offering CFDs across forex, stocks, indices, commodities and options.
The company holds 15 international licences and facilitates trades for over 30 million customers across more than 65 countries.
Plus500 says it differentiates itself through a user-friendly interface and transparent pricing structure, with trading fees embedded within the bid-ask spread. This allows traders to see the cost of each trade upfront, without separate commission charges on trades and withdrawals.
“Clarity is how we set ourselves apart. It shapes how we design the platform and how we communicate with our users,” says Mr Magner.
Plus500 customers who make a minimum deposit of $1,000 and enter the bonus code “SINGAPORE2026” can receive a bonus of $828 after meeting the required trading activity threshold of 438 Trader Points, or TPoints. These points are earned based on trading activity on the platform.
A CFD allows investors to speculate on whether the price of an asset will rise or fall, without owning the asset itself.
For instance, someone who expects gold prices to increase can open a “buy” trade. If prices rise, the investor may profit from the difference. If prices fall instead, losses are incurred.
CFDs can also be used when investors expect prices to decline. Rather than borrowing and selling the actual asset, they can simply open a “sell” trade.
Some investors use CFDs because they allow for quicker reactions to market movements during periods of volatility.
However, investors should note that while CFDs can amplify gains because they involve margin trading, the reverse is also true. Losses can build up quickly if markets move against the investor.
To help manage this risk, Plus500 offers complementary Negative Balance Protection as a standard for all accounts. This means customers cannot lose more money than the funds available in their account.
Mr Magner notes that investors in Singapore and around the world have been showing greater interest in commodities like oil and gold.
The shift, he says, is driven by the macro events currently dominating the headlines – from tensions in the Middle East and shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz to persistent energy-supply uncertainty and shifting interest rate expectations.
Features on Plus500 include real-time trading insights, AI-generated market summaries and demo accounts using live market data.
PHOTO: PLUS500
As market movements become harder to predict, many investors are also looking for quicker ways to process information and track sentiment.
For example, someone monitoring gold prices on Plus500 can use the platform’s +Insights feature to see how the precious metal has performed over the past 24 hours, as well as the percentage of users taking buy or sell positions globally.
The platform has also introduced +AI Bites, which provides artificial intelligence-generated summaries of news and market data related to a specific asset.
Someone tracking silver prices, for instance, may also receive updates related to gold and the US dollar as these markets have historically shown periods of correlation. Users can also view charts showing support and resistance levels, alongside broader price trends.
For newer investors, Plus500 offers an unlimited demo account using live market data, allowing users to explore trading tools and test strategies before committing real money.
Plus500 users in Singapore can also download Chinese-language versions of the app in traditional Chinese and hanyu pinyin. Those using the English-language version of the demo account currently have access to both +Insights and +AI Bites, while Chinese-language users currently have access to +Insights only.
The company also runs an online training academy where users can learn the basics of trading and better understand the tools available on the platform. Customer support is handled by human agents rather than chatbots for a more personal touch.
The platform has won multiple awards, including Best CFD Provider at the 2025 SingSaver Awards, Best Mobile Trading App from FXEmpire and Best in Class for Ease of Use from ForexBroker.
“Trade with clarity is our way of putting the trader’s state of mind at the centre, because in trading, clarity is foundational to confidence,” says Mr Magner.
Start trading now with Plus500.
Disclaimer: CFD Service. Your capital is at risk. Past performance of any CFD is not indicative of its future performance. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
